Around 66% of consumers consider whether or not a luxury item is sustainable before buying it and there is no doubt that for some men and women, fashion and accessories can be some of the most luxurious items they purchase regularly. As stated by Livia Firth, Founder and Creative Director of eco-friendly consultancy company, Eco-Age, today’s consumers are more likely to value quality in fashion, instead of mere trendiness.
This is because one of the key tenets of the sustainable fashion movement is that of ‘design for life’. Everything you buy should last, if not for a lifetime, at least for various years. It should also be able to be worn by more than one person and should ideally be recyclable or compostable. If you are keen on giving your wardrobe an eco shake-up, keep the following considerations in mind.
Clothing Made by Cutting-Edge Brands
From jackets to bathing suits, there is a wide array of items made with cutting-edge processes that lower the carbon footprint of the fashion industry and do their share for the planet. Rather than shopping on a spree, therefore, conduct research into various companies and go with those that are making the world a better place. Check out companies like Bureo, founded in California and known for recycling old, discarded fishing nets and transforming them into NetPlus—a fabric that enriches local communities. If you are after swimwear, view the stunning collections of Deakin & Blue, which makes its bathing suits from regenerated nylon fiber obtained from industrial plastic and old fishing nets.
Accessories Should be Sustainable Too
Be just as vigilant about the accessories you shop for. Brands like Sea2See make eyewear from 100% recycled marine plastic. These groundbreaking companies are cleaning up our oceans, tackling the problem of plastics in particular. Currently, around 14 million tons of plastics end up in our oceans every year, making up 80% of all marine waste found on surface waters and in deep-sea sediments. Sustainable handbags are also all the rage among fashion lovers. Brands like Keentu make these items in small batches, sourcing them from small businesses in Africa which, together, employ over 4,000 people. Their accessories are made from byproduct materials and recycled metal hardware.
Giving Vintage Clothing New Life
Dressing sustainably isn’t only about shopping wisely but also about making use of existing items. One of the most important steps you can take when building a green wardrobe is to shop for vintage items in second-hand shops. Macklemore really hit the nail on the head in his song Thrift Shop, which delves into how fickle high-end fashion can be. As he said, fashionistas often end up spending large amounts of money on so-called ‘limited edition’ items that everyone ends up wearing ‘at the club’. By shopping at second-hand shops, you can find clothes and accessories that are truly unique and that turn heads.
Getting Creative
Your own artistry and talents can also come into play when you are building a sustainable wardrobe. Pull out old jewelry items, beads, pompoms, and other arts and crafts materials that may be hiding in storage. Embellish simple items like old T-shirts by upcycling them with items you already have. Invest a small amount of cash in a glue gun, portable sewing machine, or other equipment you need to turn your love of fashion into an upcycling hobby.
Sustainability is a key value for modern-day consumers. If you love being on-trend and wowing friends, co-workers, and family with your outfits, you can do so while also pursuing an eco-friendly lifestyle. Support brands that go the extra mile to tackle problems such as plastic pollution, shop second-hand, and let your creative juices flow, creating new fashions from discarded and unwanted arts and crafts materials.
